I actually find it peculiar that only PEK and PVG are in top 30 after years of explosive growth in China. No CAN? Also, both Chinese cities growing around 5%, that is a far cry from the days of 20-30% a year. Are they leveling off?

Quoting leftyboarder (Reply 3):I actually find it peculiar that only PEK and PVG are in top 30 after years of explosive growth in China. No CAN? Also, both Chinese cities growing around 5%, that is a far cry from the days of 20-30% a year. Are they leveling off?

It seems that Guangzhou doesn't always report their numbers. They are not included in the 2011 list but should be around the same position as Shanghai judging by their 2010 numbers:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World's_busiest_airports_by_passenger_traffic

Interesting to see that the stellar growth of Beijing (PEK) and Shanghai (PVG) in the previous years has leveled off this year. Are they hitting the capacity boundaries or is it an indication of a slowing down of the economic growth in China (or both)?

Nevertheless the growing presence of Asia in this list is clearly continuing with Singapore (SIN), Bangkok (BKK), Dubai (DXB), Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and especially Jakarta (CGK) all storming up the charts. And even Istanbul (IST) although that's technically Europe.

Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) also showed a surprising double digit growth and just pipped Madrid (MAD) to regain the third spot in Europe.

US airports are falling behind. In 2000 13 out of the top 20 airports were in the US (65%), now it's only 7 (35%). Next year it will probably only be 5 (25%).

The top 15 for growth from the largest 30 also makes interesting reading. However there is a health warning. These figures hide whether the growth is recovery growth, following a year when passenger numbers declined, or growth on top of earlier growth:

Note that PVG does not make this top half for growth amongst the largest airports and that PEK only ranks at number 15. Note also that the listing includes five European (including two German) airports and three American airports and that DXB showed lower growth than SIN. However also remember the previous health warning.

Quoting wolbo (Reply 7):Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) also showed a surprising double digit growth and just pipped Madrid (MAD) to regain the third spot in Europe.

That would be right if you stated main land Europe. But AFAIK the UK is still considered a part of Europe even though they like to think different and drive on the wrong side of the road But 4th place isn't bad either I would say!

There's still a long way to go before all the alliances deserve a star...

Quoting leftyboarder (Reply 8):Since number 21 through 25 are all from the US anyway I don't see fewer US airports in top 20 anytime soon - unless MUC or KUL grow by some 15% or so. Of course no one remembers CVG, STL...

I found the data for Guangzhou and they had 45.0 million passengers in 2011 placing them ahead of Las Vegas in 19th position.

If Shanghai (PVG) overtakes Las Vegas (LAS) there will only be 6 US airports in the top 20 but you are right that with all the US airports in pos. 21-25 it is unlikely to decrease to 5 next year. Nevertheless the trend is quite clear.

Interestingly, Shanghai's domestic airport (SHA) grew faster than Pudong last year and may soon join the top 30. Chengdu (CTU) will probably also appear in the list within 2 or 3 years.

Quoting Glareskin (Reply 11):That would be right if you stated main land Europe. But AFAIK the UK is still considered a part of Europe even though they like to think different and drive on the wrong side of the road
But 4th place isn't bad either I would say!

Oops, overlooked our UK friends. Despite Cameron's best efforts they are not yet a separate continent so indeed AMS goes to number 4 spot and MAD to number 5.